How Do I Find a Real Estate Rental?

by Larry Simmons

Renting any property first requires finding something available that fits your needs.

The world is filled with rental properties, available in all sizes from small rooms to large mansions. Finding a real estate rental property in the size and area of your choice can be a problem, though. Even though an abundance of property is usually available, it’s not always listed in an easily accessible manner. Finding the place that fits your needs as well as your lifestyle may require a bit of research followed by a lot of legwork. You’ll likely have to try multiple sources before coming across a location that satisfies you, but in the end it will be worth the effort to find a place you can turn into a home.

1

Check the real estate section in the newspaper for the area in which you’re looking to rent. The listings are by housing type and general area to make them easier to read through. Find the area you’re interested in and then browse among the listings to see if there is anything in the size and price range that you’re looking for. Mark down the locations and contact information. Call the provided telephone numbers for further information, or to set up a time for viewing the property.

2

Search online at major real estate rental sites like Apartments.com or Realtor.com when a local newspaper isn’t available. Most of the listings you found in the newspaper are also on one of the major rental sites. Locate the rentals available in the area you’re looking into by inputting that area’s zip code into the site’s search engine. Refine the search by choosing housing type, number of bedrooms or available amenities. Browse through the results and print the listings that interest you. Contact the listing agent via telephone, email or via online contact form for further information, or to arrange a viewing.

3

Obtain an area rental guide from a rental office or grocery store in the area you wish to rent in. Rental guides contain information mostly about long-standing rental spaces with consistent turnaround such as larger apartment buildings, or multiunit management companies. Locate a few rental units you may be interested in seeing and then contact the manager listed in the advertisements to ask after availability and to arrange a viewing. Information in the guide concerning availability or prices can be out of date by the time you contact management for details.

4

Locate a rental agency in the area you intend to live. Rental agencies, like real estate agencies, have up-to-date information on the availability of rental units in the desired area. This information includes current rental costs and neighborhood information for multiple management companies. A service fee is necessary, but an agency can get you into a property faster than most other approaches to renting in an area, saving you time and legwork in the process.

5

Visit the properties of interest and examine the property and location area to determine if the rental suits your requirements. If so, sign a rental agreement with the individual or company offering the space and make whatever payments are required to secure the space.

Tip

Searching online for rentals can gain you inside information about the rental location area or about the rental itself from former occupants.

About the Author

Larry Simmons is a freelance writer and expert in the fusion of computer technology and business. He has a B.S. in economics, an M.S. in information systems, an M.S. in communications technology, as well as significant work towards an M.B.A. in finance. He's published several hundred articles with Demand Studios.

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